Gray market question

[Broadside Bob]

Hi all, I'm looking at purchasing my first Rolex from a local gray market seller. From everything I can tell, they have a good reputation on the forum and locally. I'll be buying pre-owned. They claim to service every pre-owned watch the sell to make it indistinguishable from a new watch and guarantee the watch for 1 year. Of the watches I looked at there, 3 out of 4 came with papers; that is one of my requirements.

Is there anything specific I need to be careful of? Assuming no aftermarket changes have been made to the watch, will Rolex still service it? This particular seller will also service the watch down the road (at my cost) and claims to do the work significantly cheaper and faster than Rolex; is there any reason to think that regular servie from Rolex is superior?

Sorry for the newb questions, but I would apprecaite any input.

[buke45]

Buy the seller first. My gray market seller gives a 3 year warranty. Rolex will service the watch but I don't use Rolex for service, they are way too slow and expensive. You should really give one of the trusted sellers here a try. What watch are you looking to buy?

[HL65]

Definitely buy the seller. Plenty of good ones out there!

[hhh007]

I would make sure to ask if the watch has any aftermarket (non Rolex) parts installed such as the bracelet, dial, links, crystal, movement parts, etc, and ask what their interpretation of a 'complete service' means exactly. To some sellers, a complete service means a quick 5 minute buff job on the case and band in the back room. I would also ask exactly what their 1 yr. warranty covers and if they use only genuine Rolex parts on any service work performed.

[Broadside Bob]

Great. Thanks for the input! I won't said I'd never by from a trusted seller on the forum; however, being able to see and hold the actual watch before plunking down my $$$ is attractive.

I guess put more generally, my question is is there any reason not to buy pre-owned from a gray market dealer presuming I'm comfortable with the seller?

[mailman]

Originally Posted by Broadside Bob

Great. Thanks for the input! I won't said I'd never by from a trusted seller on the forum; however, being able to see and hold the actual watch before plunking down my $$$ is attractive.

I guess put more generally, my question is is there any reason not to buy pre-owned from a gray market dealer presuming I'm comfortable with the seller?

No

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by Broadside Bob

Is there anything specific I need to be careful of? Assuming no aftermarket changes have been made to the watch, will Rolex still service it?

Besides fakes, aftermarket parts and scams, I think there is one more aspect to consider. I have asked this question several times, and so far nobody has been able to answer it.

Since Rolex keeps a register of watches that are reported stolen, you run the risk of having the watch taken from you when you attempt to get it authenticated or serviced.

Even if everything is fine at time of purchase, is there anything stopping the original buyer from reporting it stolen at a later date? It could have changed hands several times since the original buyer sold it, so knowing and trusting the source isn't necessarily a guarantee.

Has this ever been an issue for anyone? If not, why?

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by ArcticMoose

Besides fakes, aftermarket parts and scams, I think there is one more aspect to consider. I have asked this question several times, and so far nobody has been able to answer it.

Since Rolex keeps a register of watches that are reported stolen, you run the risk of having the watch taken from you when you attempt to get it authenticated or serviced.

Even if everything is fine at time of purchase, is there anything stopping the original buyer from reporting it stolen at a later date? It could have changed hands several times since the original buyer sold it, so knowing and trusting the source isn't necessarily a guarantee.

Has this ever been an issue for anyone? If not, why?

David,
It is not as easy as we think it is to claim a watch "stolen or do an insurance claim".
You need to file a Police report and you need to have a proof that you did own the watch with a proof of purchase and in some cases an appraisal... It is not impossible for a scammer to do such a thing but still it's not as easy as we think it is.

Here are few things you can do to protect yourself:
Try to write a small contract with the seller stating that on the X date you bought Y watch from Mr Z with a serial# ...
Get ID or passport # , both sign it and keep it in a safe place, if the seller have no bad intentions that shouldn't be a problem... and If ever there is a problem then you have a place to go back to...Not that easy but a little safer then nothing.
If buying from a company or a jewelry store that is not an AD, have them write you the full serial on the invoice.

[TRW]

Tony,you have got to be one of the most helpful and positive people on this Forum.

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by TRW

Tony,you have got to be one of the most helpful and positive people on this Forum.

Thanks Tim It's guys like you that keeps me going

[hhh007]

<<< Try to write a small contract with the seller stating that on the X date you bought Y watch from Mr Z with a serial# ...
Get ID or passport # , both sign it and keep it in a safe place, if the seller have no bad intentions that shouldn't be a problem... and If ever there is a problem then you have a place to go back to...Not that easy but a little safer then nothing.
If buying from a company or a jewelry store that is not an AD, have them write you the full serial on the invoice. >>>



Very good advice! If in the unlikely event the watch does turn out to be stolen you then have a written document from the seller showing the serial number and the amount paid just in case the seller is not cooperative in promptly refunding the purchase price.

[mailman]

Originally Posted by TRW

Tony,you have got to be one of the most helpful and positive people on this Forum.

Yes he is It's people like Tony that make TRF such a great and helpful place

[JUSTROLEXES]

Originally Posted by mailman

Yes he is It's people like Tony that make TRF such a great and helpful place

Blushing now Thanks guys

[TRW]

Originally Posted by justrolexes

Blushing now Thanks guys

It's the Truth Friend

[fc3s2k]

Buy from tony (justrolexes) you won't be sorry!! I did, and will contact him when I'm ready for my next "conquest"

[jrssv]

I had a problem with a gray market seller on a used watch. I ordered and paid for a GMT II and they sent an older GMT. I had the expense of returning it. I would make sure the watch you see in the picture is the watch you get. If I buy used again I would go with one of the sellers here.

[buke45]

Originally Posted by Broadside Bob

Great. Thanks for the input! I won't said I'd never by from a trusted seller on the forum; however, being able to see and hold the actual watch before plunking down my $$$ is attractive.

I guess put more generally, my question is is there any reason not to buy pre-owned from a gray market dealer presuming I'm comfortable with the seller?

Not at all buddy.

[soliman15]

Check the price at AD (after discount) before buying re-conditioned one. I found that some of the gray market sellers price the not so old watches (3-4 years old) higher than the new ones!

[Warnsboy]

This is one of the most dangerous places to buy watches. The counterfit dealers, perhaps spend more time posing as Grey Market dealers than they spend on the BAY. Buy from a trusted TRF seller!!!!

[ArcticMoose]

Originally Posted by justrolexes

It is not impossible for a scammer to do such a thing but still it's not as easy as we think it is.

Are there any known incidents, on this forum or elsewhere, of something like this happening?

Originally Posted by justrolexes

Try to write a small contract with the seller stating that on the X date you bought Y watch from Mr Z with a serial# ...
Get ID or passport # , both sign it and keep it in a safe place, if the seller have no bad intentions that shouldn't be a problem... and If ever there is a problem then you have a place to go back to...Not that easy but a little safer then nothing.
If buying from a company or a jewelry store that is not an AD, have them write you the full serial on the invoice.

Good advice! I shall keep this in mind in the very near future.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Warnsboy

This is one of the most dangerous places to buy watches. The counterfit dealers, perhaps spend more time posing as Grey Market dealers than they spend on the BAY. Buy from a trusted TRF seller!!!!

Well I can assure you there are plenty of very good Grey dealers out there and and they have a business to run just like a AD, and many have a bricks and mortar store.Just do your home work on the grey market seller the good ones would not risk there trading name on any dodgy deals.

[Joey_V]

Originally Posted by hhh007

<<< Try to write a small contract with the seller stating that on the X date you bought Y watch from Mr Z with a serial# ...
Get ID or passport # , both sign it and keep it in a safe place, if the seller have no bad intentions that shouldn't be a problem... and If ever there is a problem then you have a place to go back to...Not that easy but a little safer then nothing.
If buying from a company or a jewelry store that is not an AD, have them write you the full serial on the invoice. >>>



Very good advice! If in the unlikely event the watch does turn out to be stolen you then have a written document from the seller showing the serial number and the amount paid just in case the seller is not cooperative in promptly refunding the purchase price.

My only issue with this is would this "un-notarized" document actually hold water in court. Usually if you want a document to have some legal weight, you want it notarized by a 3rd party.

[ingoodtime]

I bought my pre loved sub from a reputable non AD
jewelry chain with three stores. I got the original papers
and box as well as a receipt for purchase with the full
serial number and descrition as on the orig Rolex paperwork

[DCgator]

BLUF - do your homework, do research, ask the hard questions, and if something doesn't jive, walk away. Just like that.

[PeteNYC13]

Originally Posted by justrolexes

Here are few things you can do to protect yourself:
Try to write a small contract with the seller stating that on the X date you bought Y watch from Mr Z with a serial# ...
Get ID or passport # , both sign it and keep it in a safe place, if the seller have no bad intentions that shouldn't be a problem... and If ever there is a problem then you have a place to go back to...Not that easy but a little safer then nothing.
If buying from a company or a jewelry store that is not an AD, have them write you the full serial on the invoice.

__________________________________________________ ___________
Tony,
I think that is great advice...BUT, there was a whole thread on here yesterday that the grey dealers and some trusted sellers won't even open a case back to show a shopper the movement before they buy. Do you think these same folks would give a prospective buyer a copy of their Passport?!

There is always that danger that you are getting scammed, common sense and if it's too good to be true are a good rule! If it doesnt' feel right, walk from the deal, there are millions of Rolexes out there to be had without the worry!

-Pete